There is upwards of 5,000 Jewish students on campus, according to Hillel Foundation University of Wisconsin. What does it mean for these students who identify themselves as Jews?
Jordan Soffer, the Student President of the Chabad Jewish Student Association, said the university provides a generally comfortable atmosphere for Jews.
""I think a lot of it comes down to individual professors being more accommodating. But sometimes that's difficult, because our religion is very time consuming,"" said Soffer. ""I don't know if there's much the university can do. I think it's up to the individual Jews. But I think the University has done a very nice job of making a haven to practice any religion truthfully and openly.""
However, many Jews felt an anti-Semitic presence on campus last year following the publishing of the advertisement linking to a Holocaust denial website on the Badger Herald website and the release of the ""Coastie Rap.""
More than 100 students attended both a protest and an ethics panel, which was co-sponsored by Hillel and the Office of the Dean of Students, addressing the advertisement.
Soffer said he is shocked that the question of the Holocaust's occurrence ever entered campus and feels a better apology from The Badger Herald was needed.
""I find it absurd that this kind of rhetoric is permeating the university. I find it unfortunate that any apology was confined. All the apologies were tainted,"" said Soffer.
Rabbi Mendel from the Chabad Jewish Student Association said he feels the advertisement was insensitive, especially since there are many Jewish UW-Madison students whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors.
Last year, the popular ""Coastie rap"" generated debate about stereotypes with its lines ""Jewish American Princess"" and ""My East Coast Jewish Honey.""
Mendel believes the generalizations should not have included religion.
""Lines about Jews are poor taste … It's not okay to stereotype huge groups of people based on religion,"" said Mendel.
Soffer said he did not take offense, but feels bigotry should be avoided.
""Anything on campus that generates an anti-Semitic feeling is extremely unfortunate, and while I don't personally feel that the song was inherently anti-Semitic, and I don't feel its writers are anti-Semitic, I do feel that it is unfortunate that it brought out hateful vibes,"" said Soffer. ""Anything that produces bigotry has no place on campus.""
However, Soffer felt the conversations started by the ""Coastie rap"" and the Holocaust denial advertisement benefitted the university as well.
""I think one of the most positive things I've experienced at UW is the interface dialogue … I think it only enhances your own faith,"" said Soffer. ""The despicable actions of a select few really did little to inhibit religious freedom and acceptance.""
Part of this acceptance extends to the provision of Kosher food by a few food services on campus.
The Statesider meal plan allows its points to be used at a kosher café at Hillel, a center for Jewish student life on campus. Rheta's in Chadbourne offers packaged kosher foods in its marketplace.
However, Soffer said he wishes there were more options.
""Making kosher food more accessible on campus would facilitate a friendlier environment for observant Jews,"" said Soffer.
